Boxing Day fox hunts could be the last as Johnstone bill moves closer

Wed 26 Dec, 2018

Recently I have been taking advice from parliament officials and I will publish a consultation on my proposal in the new year.
Alison Johnstone MSP

This Boxing Day, as fox hunts meet around the UK including in Scotland, Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone has pledged to publish a consultation on plans to introduce an effective fox hunting ban and better protect Scotland’s wild mammals.

Boxing Day hunts include the Berwickshire hunt, which meets in Greenlaw - events described as an “annual family ritual” by the Countryside Alliance but which Ms Johnstone says are cruel.

In November Alison observed a hunt in the Borders with investigators from the League Against Cruel Sports.

Ms Johnstone said:

“Today the Boxing day hunts will go out much like they always have. There is no doubt in my mind that the so-called ban has failed and urgent action is needed to close the loopholes that allow foxes to be chased and even killed by hunts.”

“Members within the SNP and Labour clearly share my frustration with fox hunting and the lack of protection that wild mammals are afforded in Scotland. In 2019 I hope that we can come together and deliver real progress towards effective protection, including a hunting ban that does what it says on the tin. This is what the overwhelming majority of the Scottish public want to see, and we must not disappoint them.

“Recently I have been taking advice from parliament officials and I will publish a consultation on my proposal in the new year.”

HAPPY World Oceans Day. Well, maybe not happy. The UN says that eight million tonnes of plastic each year ends up in the ocean, wreaking havoc on wildlife and causing £5bn in damage to marine ecosystems each year.